Apologies to those of you who are too young to know who Ms. Garbo was. Suffice it to say, she was an old-time movie star, a cool blond with a throaty voice and a European accent. Among other things, she was famous for saying, “I want to alone.” (Although it came out as, “I vant to be alone.”)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love people, I truly do. But I am essentially an introvert, like many writers, and occasionally I need solitude, time to think, time to pray deeply, time to doodle on one of my artist trading cards–anything to rest my ADD-plagued brain for a while. I’ve learned over the years that taking an I-vant-to-be-alone day now and then is vital to my mental health and general well-being; this is when my deeper mind gets a (too rare) opportunity to call the shots, without the constant interference of the surface mind.

I took one of these days recently, and it was a powerful experience. I received some insights into my own life and thought processes, as I do when I journal. It was delicious, this day. When I sat in my meditation chair, all four pets joined me, and we all enjoyed the peace of just being who we are, where we are, what we are. Animals are naturals at Just Being, especially cats. They don’t prowl the past or try to explore and subdue the future; they are smack dab in the middle of NOW. Of course our furry friends don’t have think about mortgage payments, political upheaval or the many other challenges (human) flesh is heir to, but we can still take a lesson from them.

In the tech community, this kind of mini-retreat is called ‘unplugging’, an undeniably good thing. We are constantly bombarded by all manner of input, from sales pitches to political rhetoric (God help us) to violence and, well, you get the idea. It is impossible for any mere mortal to absorb and assimilate so many stimuli, wouldn’t even want to, but the onslaught continues, ceaselessly, 24/7. Yeesh! At this point, I’m not even sure this blog makes sense.

I am not old enough to know her but I have seen old movies of her. Everyone needs that time alone. We didn’t even turn the tv on in our house on Saturday. I was just quiet time. No on the computer or phones. We both were just reading.

I hear you. We all need to do more “unplugging” for our own sanity. I work at a group of radio stations so we have news, weather and sports all day and then it follows you home via social media, radio and television. We have two cats and my relaxing time is holding our 16 1/2 year old cat in my lap every night. Totally puts me at peace. So here’s to your weekend of unplugging and rejuvenation. Take care Linda.

I am also an introvert. I’m 72 years old, so don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon. I love being out with my family and also my gym buddies, but need time to just “Be” from time to time. I’m a widow and live alone and that’s fine with me but my friends and family are always trying to interest me in joining into new things, but I like my life just the way it is. Yes, I remember Greta Garbo. Love your books and your blog!!

Linda, your blog made perfect sense! Good for you! I’m sure most of us know exactly what you are saying and want to have such an “I Vant to be Alone” day. It’s a challenge to get one, and a challenge to turn off the outside environment and concentrate on your inside environment. Praying without having to watch the clock, and getting completely immersed in a book — those two things work best for me. Great blog!

Oh Linda I totally agree with you! I think everyone needs to take some me time to unwind and recharge their battery! Be it through journaling, reading, meditating or what ever works for you! Our body and our minds need to be rebooted for their own good!

Looks like your fans agree with you, as do I, about needing a day where you can totally chill. I live by myself, but still need those days on occasion…no phone calls, no running to the store or chatting with friends or neighbors, just complete alone time to be mellow. A necessary day for our sanity.

I often take Greta Garbo weekends. And, yes, I know who she was. Sometimes you just need to veg out.

I lost my Pomeranian, Queenie last month, so I’ve been taking a lot of those weekends. I so miss having a Pomeranian around. They are such happy, sweet, joyful little dogs. I still have my Buster (Chiweenie) and Buddy the cat, who is twice Buster’s size, but I still miss the happy-go-lucky little girl.

I like alone days. I have had that today until son and husband get home from work. Husband only works weekends and son is off weekends so if I get an alone day it is on Fridays and usually I do my housework that day. All that has been here today is me and my Little Man cat which stays outside most of the day. I can get a lot more done on my alone days.

I know what you mean, I too need those alone and quiet
times. That means everything off; even the phone. And then
it’s just me and my 4-legged kid and a good book. Sometimes
not even a book just total peace and quiet out in God’s great
outdoors. Everyone should take some alone time. May you
enjoy many more of these. God bless

You so have the right idea!! Being 77 I know who Greta Garbo was and you two sure have hit the nail on the head. A “I vant to be alone weekend” sure sounds like the cats meow right now. Especially with all the Political nonsense going on right now. Keep up your good work and especially your good ideas. Love hearing them and reading your books!

Thank you for this post Linda. I too am feeling that I need a Greta Garbo weekend. I even left home to sit with the fur baby of one of my dearest friends so I could have some solitude. But, being the creature of habit that I am… I brought my electronics with me. Mostly to catch up or play a game if I chose. Life as been so hectic lately that I just needed to be alone and quiet…. enjoy your lovelies… we eagerly await the creative genious that results from your aloneness.

Oh yes. It makes sense. As an only child, I learned to amuse
myself and need those Greta Garbo days. I love people (most)
too, but I’ve found that I can’t get much done when others are
around. Close friends excluded. Right now, however, I need
someone to kick me in the b— to get me going.

I understand completely. I have a BFF that has a house on the St. John’s river and we go there every so often for one of those ‘unplug’ weekends. I may not be alone but it is close. I sit in the sun or on the back porch reading all day while she sits inside doing jigsaw puzzles or reading. We come together to eat or to watch a movie or 2 or 3 depending on our mood. We are such best friends that we can be in the same house together but doing our OWN thing and it not bother us at all. We know what each other needs and we know how to be that. There is just something about a weekend watching the river flow by. If only that river could talk.

I understand completely. I have a BFF that has a house on the St. John’s river and we go there every so often for one of those ‘unplug’ weekends. I may not be alone but it is close. I sit in the sun or on the back porch reading all day while she sits inside doing jigsaw puzzles or reading. We come together to eat or to watch a movie or 2 or 3 depending on our mood. We are such best friends that we can be in the same house together but doing our OWN thing and it not bother us at all. We know what each other needs and we know how to be that. There is just something about a weekend watching the river flow by. If only that river could talk.

In my area, one of the local radio stations has paired with another company to get people, especially families, off their technology devices. It’s called Tech Free Tuesdays. It really bothers me to see children constantly on some sort of device playing video games or texting their other young friends. When I was younger, we were outside playing from morning until the street lights came on. What happened to the good ole days?!

I think everyone needs to unplug every so often. My daughter signs off on her laptop every month for a week. Just to quiet her mind she says. Thanks for the post. I’m definitely old enough to remember Greta Garbo and her famous ” I vant to be alone ” line. Great idea.
Carol L